In Photos: Mammals

Mammals include the largest and most successful animals on the planet.

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Bears

There are eight species of bear, including the panda and polar bear, populating a variety of habitats. They are also the biggest terrestrial carnivores.

Dogs

The dog family has a variety of species. The domestic dog is actually a subspecies of the grey wolf. Other members of the Canidae family include foxes jackals and coyotes. Dogs are the most widely dispersed terrestrial animals.

Dolphins

Dolphins are marine mammals and can be found worldwide in shallow seas. They are well-known for skipping out of the water and performing incredible feats of athleticism. They can communicate through a series of clicks and whistles, including individual names! Dolphins are carnivores and have a well known subspecies in the orca, or killer whale.

Elephants

Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth, populating sub-Saharan Africa and across southern Asia. The African species are the largest, while the Asian elephant is worshipped in much of the far east.

Giraffes

Giraffes are the tallest mammal species, and boast the longest necks in the animal kingdom. Their necks might not be a simple adaptation to eating leaves off the tallest trees, as you may have first thought. They are actually a badge of fitness which the males use to compete in ritual "necking" where they are slammed into each other in bloody contests.

Primates

Primates are traditionally split into three groups; prosimians, monkeys and apes. Prosimians include lemurs, lorises and tarsiers - ancient primates that famously populate the isolated island Madagascar. Monkeys can be split into two groups, the old world (African and Asian) and new world (American). Apes are the most intelligent group of animals on Earth, including gibbons, orang-utans, chimpanzees, gorillas and humans.

Big Cats

Big cats are among the most effective predators in the world, consisting of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and cougars. The definition of what distinguishes a big cat varies, but most include either the ability to roar or a minimum size.

Whales

Whales are marine mammals which include the biggest animal ever to have lived, the mighty blue whale. Without the restriction of gravity on their bodies whales have been able to grow to enormous sizes, supporting themselves on massive gulps of marine life or agile predation of fish and other creatures.

Kangaroos

Kangaroos are a marsupial and the unofficial symbol of Australia, where they are found. They have large feet and powerful legs for leaping - a very efficient means of getting around. Like other marsupials, they carry their offspring in a pouch on their bellies.